Welcome, today we are talking with Jennifer Snow! I would like to thank you for taking time out of your busy writing schedule to answer a few questions. First, let’s delve into who you are. Some of the questions may be untraditional but you’d be surprised at what readers connect to, and sometimes the simplest ‘I can relate to that’ grabs their interest where nothing else can.
Can you share a little something about Jennifer Snow that’s not mentioned in your bio?
I have an irrational fear of escalators. If I can avoid them, I do. If I have to get on one, it takes me at least three and a half minutes of attempts to get on. I blame it on deep-rooted childhood trauma of getting my shoelace caught in one at a mall and having to have mall security stop the machine and save me (mostly just my shoe lol).
How long have you been writing?
I learned to read and write before I started school and I’ve been writing since then, so I guess I started around age five…a long time! I always had a vivid imagination and a love affair with notebooks and journals. Professionally, I’ve been writing for publication for almost fifteen years.
What have you found most challenging about it?
Starting out, I couldn’t figure out the difference between show vs. tell. Finally, with the help of a very patient editor, it clicked. Once you get it, it makes perfect sense, but it was one of the most challenging writing concepts for me to understand in the beginning of my writing career. At least, I think I understand it now😊
What does writing do for you? Is it fun, cathartic, do you get emotional?
I like writing humor and fun banty dialogue. My books definitely dive into deep emotions, but I prefer to keep my plotlines on the lighter side. I will make readers cry at least once per book but I try not to overwhelm with the heavy emotions. I cry all the time writing, but not because what I’m writing is sad lol.
Describe what your writing routine looks like. Are you disciplined with a strict schedule or do you have to be in the mood?
I’m very disciplined. I don’t write every day, I believe in taking days off, especially between projects to refill the creative well, shake off the last plot and characters that have lived in my head for so long and then switch gears to new ones. But I write most days and I’m more creative in the early mornings, so I like to be at my computer by eight a.m. at the latest, the earlier the better. When I’m on deadlines, I can sometimes start my writing day at 4 a.m. I tap out usually mid-afternoon and that’s when I spend time outside or with my family – let the story breath in my subconscious and make notes as things come to mind for the next day’s writing session.
Did you go into writing thinking that it would be a hobby or a job?
I always hoped it would be a career and I strived for that, but even if I wasn’t writing for publication, I’d still need to write. I get irritable when I haven’t written in a few days.
What inspires you?
In writing – everything! I think there is so much inspiration in the little things and everyday moments. I keep an observation journal and try to write down at least a few things I notice throughout my day or something someone said that would make a great line of dialogue, etc. I find every day has great opportunities for ‘what if’ moments that can spark an idea that turns into a full story sometimes. Other times, they are just snippets that can add dimension and depth to a character or plot. In my personal and professional life, I’m always inspired by the doers – the people who go out and get things done. I love Masterclass and learning from people who have achieved their goals and hearing about where they started and their journey to where they are.
What do you find most rewarding about writing?
I love typing ‘The End’ lol – who doesn’t? But I also love typing ‘Chapter 1’ – it’s exciting to start a new story and see how it plays out. I’m not a huge plotter, so as I write, I’m often surprised by my characters and where they lead me. Definitely holding a finished product is the best reward though.
Let’s move on and give readers some insight into your personal life.
What are your pet peeves?
Waiting on other people to do things! If I could do everything all the time myself – I would. But I’m learning to have patience and trust in collaborative processes.
Who is your hero?
My son! He’s almost fourteen and he’s the sweetest teenager ever – for now anyway lol! Hope I didn’t jinx it. He’s an amazing student and a competitive swimmer, training six days a week for two and half hours a day. He never complains, he’s self-motivated and driven. He has incredible friends and a kind heart for animals. Proud mom for sure.
Give us one thing on your bucket list.
A red carpet premiere for one of the movies I wrote😊
What would readers find surprising about you?
That my family and I moved to Spain from Canada three years ago! We love living near the ocean with the sunny, warm weather.
Now that our readers know who Jennifer Snow is let’s get down to the business of the movie, Glimpse by Convergent Media, and the book it’s based on All Signs Point to Malibu.
First off, what’s the difference between writing a book and screen writing?
It’s so different! I love writing both because I think it’s a great balance for me to tell more stories in a shorter period of time. Screenwriting has actually helped me become a better plotter, due to the fact that most projects typically start at a treatment stage that needs to be approved by producers before moving on to a draft. Writing a book is a lot more time sitting at a computer, putting words to the page while I find screenwriting for me happens when I’m away from my computer. A lot of brainstorming and thinking about the characters and plot while I do other things, then drafting a script is much faster. I write a book in 2 months, a TV romance movie script in 2 weeks. Screenwriting is a lot more visual and focusing on how to convey emotions and thoughts in action, whereas novels are far more descriptive with lots of internal dialogue.
How did you get involved in screen writing?
I’d always wanted to try writing a script and in 2017, I had a year that I refer to as my ‘Year of No’. Every book I submitted to publishers was rejected and my author career experienced a little setback. But without a book deadline for the first time in seven years, I decided I’d try writing a screenplay by adapting one of my earlier holiday romance novellas. I downloaded scripts and read them, read countless screenwriting how-to books, downloaded Final Draft and started adapting – figuring it out as I went. With the completed script, I attended American Film Market in 2018 and sold the script – from there, I was hooked! I still kept pitching novels, but I also continued to write more scripts, learning as I went.
Please tell us a little bit about, Glimpse.
Glimpse (All Signs Point to Malibu) is a speculative rom-com pitched as My Best Friend’s Wedding meets About Time. The heroine is a psychic life coach who uses her ability to see into the future to advise her clients toward their goals or away from the wrong path. When she sees heartbreak and devastation in her ex-boyfriend’s future, she sets out to stop him from marrying the wrong woman, but her ex’s best friend sets out to stop her from destroying a wedding from the inside. The two may or may not fall in love in the process…
What’s next for you?
2024 is an exciting year with more TV holiday rom-coms releasing and hopefully Glimpse will go into production. I have a Christmas themed reality TV show in pre-development and another book submitted to my publisher, so lots of fun stuff!
Any advice for aspiring authors?
Keep pushing toward your goals, but be open to the opportunities you aren’t expecting. Always trust your gut and fight for the career you want – no one will care about your career as much as you do.
Final words?
Thanks so much for having me!
